The Press., 1887-05-05
The NEethodt.t eyonrerence.

The recent session of the New England Southern Conference was one of more than ordinary interest Bishop O. H. Fowler, l D. D., presided. He had visited the con- ference as editor of the Christian AdOO- cate, and as secretary of the missionary so- clety, but this was his first occupancy of its chair. With afresh, crisp way of say ing things which keeps awake the body over which he presides, Bishop Fowler manifested much skill in directing the work before the conference. Business pro- gressed with unusual rapidity till the case of Rev. 0. l.. Goodel1, pastor of Trinity church, Providence was reached. This case has excited much interest and caused great newspaper comment. A MT. Foster of Providence charged that MT. Goodell had been guilty of criminal intimacy with his, Fosters wife. In a trial in the civil courts it appeared that Mrs. Foster had confessed guilt duplicating the minister, and divorce was granted MT. Foster on this ground. Rev. MT. Jordan, presiding elder, called a committee, according to the usages of his denomination, and there was an investigation. The day before the de-
 cision of the court was made public the
 ministers reported that that they had found
 no proof of guilt on Goodells part. Of
 course there was much said about "white-
 
 washing"
 At the conference charges and spectfca-
 tions were presented and select commit
 tee of fifteen was appointed. The trial oc-
 cupied week. Some eleven sessions were held. All the evidence available was pre- sented Far more than came before the
 civil court. Indeed for thoroughness and
 fairness the examination could not have been exceeded. In the decision 'tnot guilty" not only the committee but other
 members of the conference who heard the evidence were remarkably unanimous. The general public was excluded from the trial but it IS understood that there was evidence which broke the force of Mrs.
 Fosters statements, and altogether the tes-
 timony against the accused was contradlc-
 tory. The conference was willing to &C., fcept the verdict of this committee who had
 so thoroughly sifted the evidence in the case, and there is reason to hope that peo- pie generally will now let the whole mat ter rest. The church which MT. Goodell
 has served for the past year welcomed him
 back to the work in which he has been ex-
 ceptionally successful, particularly since the trial ill the winter. As pastor he is
 very popular and successful. His church invited the conference to meet in Provi- dence next year.
 3 Another case interesting to Stafford peo- B pie was that of Rev. W. Mex Bray, g former pastor of the church at the Springs.
 Prof. Scott, who was principal of the sem mary of which MT. Bray has long been fl.
 nancial agent, was discharged from the principalship. Prof. Scott charged that MT. Bray had misrepresented him. After conversation with friends MT. Bray wrote 3 to Prof. Scott letter disclaiming wrong motives but admitting possible indiscre tion, and, i'll a manly, christian way asking :, forgiveness for any wrong that might have : been done the professor. This gentleman then withdrew the charges and the matter l was settled. MT. Bray is on the ''super 0 numerary" list.
 The session was long and somewhat ted
 ious, but gave the world new illustration q of the peculiar economy of the Methodis ! Episcopal church. No man can be ap ]. pointed to pastorate until his character ii n passed" that is until the presiding elder e can say nothing against him. in the form e of charges In this instance the bishop j. and members of this conference waited un l. til these matters were cleared up. Th' n final adjournment took place at mldnigh r, on Thursday night, making thls perhap t the longest session of the conference eve + held. ITINERANT.